Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe helped the No. 1 Crimson Tide knock off No. 1 Georgia 27-24 in the SEC Championship game, snapping the Bulldogs’ 29-game winning streak Saturday.
While his stat line wasn’t great, Milroe shined in the biggest moments, leading Alabama to the win. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback made plays with his arm and extended others with his quick feet.
Georgia safety Malaki Starks said he was impressed with Milroe’s decision-making in split-second moments.
“He’s very athletic, very smart, (and) a very good quarterback,” Starks said, explaining that Milroe was difficult to trap “because he can make explosive plays with his arm, but also with his legs.”
After Georgia got its only lead in the first quarter after a Kendall Milton rushing touchdown, Alabama responded with a field goal, leading 7-3 heading into the next period.
In the second quarter, Milroe took advantage of Georgia’s defense as he threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jam Miller on a 1st-and-20 play.
Milroe’s second touchdown pass came on Alabama’s next drive when he tossed a 15-yard strike to former Bulldog and current Alabama receiver Jermaine Burton while under the pressure of being sacked.
At halftime, Alabama held a 17-7 lead over Georgia. The Bulldogs did a better overall job containing Milroe in the half, but when needed, he made more plays.
Each team traded field goals in the third quarter, giving the Crimson Tide a 20-10 lead going into the fourth. The Bulldogs got a late spark, though, with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Carson Beck.
With 10:16 left, Alabama’s lead was cut to 20-17 over Georgia, which had the momentum swing back its way. However, the Crimson Tide responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, resulting in a touchdown.
During the drive, Milroe made several instinctive plays to keep the chains moving, which set up Roydell Williams for a short rushing touchdown. His score extended Alabama’s lead back to 10 points.
Again, Georgia wouldn’t go away as it drove down the field, scoring in under three minutes as Milton rushed for his second touchdown. Still, the Crimson Tide led 27-24 with 2:54 left in the game.
Milroe put the game away on Alabama’s first play from scrimmage on the next possession. The sophomore shot caller took a snap and rushed 30 yards for a first down inside the Bulldogs’ territory.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was forced to call timeout. Two plays later, Milroe picked up nine yards on Alabama’s final first down, prompting Smart to call the Bulldogs’ final timeout of the game.
Per Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon, Milroe’s athleticism was the biggest difference in the loss.
“With how good of an athlete he is, it’s a real big challenge,” Mondon said. “As far as defending him, some plays he did good on, some plays could’ve fitted better on. That last drive, just got it fitted better.”
Milroe completed 13 of 23 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed only nine times for 29 yards but was sacked six times by the Georgia defense, so those numbers are a little skewed.
Regardless, Milroemade plays when it mattered and kept the Bulldogs off-balance on the defensive side of the ball. He kept drives alive with his arm and feet, especially in the fourth quarter.
Alabama’s win over Georgia on Saturday snapped an SEC record 29-game winning streak. The loss to the Crimson Tide also kept the back-to-back national champs out of the College Football Playoff.
Despite the loss, Smart said he remained proud of his team.
“When you give good teams those things, they’re going to be hard to beat. I am proud of our fight and resiliency. Two times we’re down 10 or three times we’re down 10, (the) offense battles back, never quit, ‘never say die’ attitude,” Smart said. “This team is really special in terms of how they play and how they compete. They’ve been through a lot with the guys in and out of the roster, which has been tough on these guys. I’m proud of ‘em and congratulate Alabama on a great game.”